Power trowel fastening assembly

ABSTRACT

This disclosure provides a power-trowel fastening apparatus comprising an arm, a resurfacing tool, and a fastening system. The resurfacing tool is positioned underneath the arm and is connected to the first arm. The resurfacing tool also has a surface side and a fastening side. The fastening system sits between the first arm and the resurfacing tool and includes a peg, an aperture, a magnet, and a magnet recess. Both the peg and the magnet extend from the fastening side of the resurfacing tool. Both the aperture and the magnet recess reside along the bottom of the first arm and are configured to the dimensions and locations of the peg and the magnet on the resurfacing tool. The magnet and the peg fit within the aperture and the magnet recess, respectively, when the resurfacing tool is positioned underneath the first arm.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/914,916 titled POWER TROWEL FASTENING ASSEMBLY (Attorney Reference Number 060900.00009), filed on Dec. 11, 2013, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of this disclosure contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of this patent document as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but reserves all copyrights whatsoever in the subject matter presented herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to mechanical surface finishing equipment and, more particularly, to fastening systems for blades within power trowels and other surface finishing devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Concrete is a composite material generally defined as a mixture of two components, aggregates and paste. The paste, which typically includes cement, commonly Portland cement, and water, binds the aggregates (sand and gravel or crushed stone) into a rocklike mass as the paste hardens. The paste hardens because of the chemical hydration reaction between the cement and water.

Once concrete is placed, it is typically necessary to level the surface of the concrete, compact concrete, create construction joints, apply an edge finish to the concrete, finish the centers, facilitate curing and/or polishing. The advantages of vibrating or rotating tools and machines such as power trowels in finishing concrete are well known. The concrete contacting parts of these machines, such as their blades, require routine maintenance and replacement. These parts are typically tightly secured by bolts and/or screws onto these heavy machines and in locations making their removal cumbersome. Thus, the routine task of removing such parts for inspection and/or replacement is not only difficult but also possibly injurious.

Epoxy, micro-topping, rubber and/or thermo-plastic aggregate coated surfaces, as well as surfaces requiring decorative polymer overlays require the use of a power trowel for installation and have similar cumbersome blade-replacement issues. It is an object of the present disclosure to address or at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure provides a power trowel comprising a handle, a housing assembly, a motor, an arm, a resurfacing tool, and a fastening system. The housing assembly is coupled to and extending from the handle. The motor is positioned above the housing assembly and includes a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism is configured to provide rotational motion. The arm is coupled to, and extends radially from, the drive mechanism. The resurfacing tool is positioned underneath the arm and is connected to the arm. The resurfacing tool also has a surface side and a fastening side. The fastening system sits between the arm and the resurfacing tool and includes a peg, an aperture, a magnet, and a magnet recess. Both the peg and the magnet extend from the fastening side of the resurfacing tool. Both the aperture and the magnet recess reside along the bottom of the arm and are configured to the dimensions and locations of the peg and the magnet on the resurfacing tool. The magnet and the peg fit within the aperture and the magnet recess, respectively, when the resurfacing tool is positioned underneath the arm.

This disclosure also provides a power-trowel fastening apparatus comprising a first arm, a resurfacing tool, and a fastening system. The resurfacing tool is positioned underneath the first arm and is connected to the first arm. The resurfacing tool also has a surface side and a fastening side. The fastening system sits between the first arm and the resurfacing tool and includes a peg, an aperture, a magnet, and a magnet recess. Both the peg and the magnet extend from the fastening side of the resurfacing tool. Both the aperture and the magnet recess reside along the bottom of the first arm and are configured to the dimensions and locations of the peg and the magnet on the resurfacing tool. The magnet and the peg fit within the aperture and the magnet recess, respectively, when the resurfacing tool is positioned underneath the first arm.

This disclosure also provides a resurfacing tool for use with an arm having an aperture along the bottom of the arm and a magnet recess along the bottom of the arm. The resurfacing tool includes a surface side, a fastening side, a peg, and a magnet. Both the peg and the magnet extend from the fastening side of the resurfacing tool. Both the peg and the magnet are also configured to the dimensions and locations of the aperture and magnet recess along the bottom of the first arm. The magnet and the peg fit within the aperture and the magnet recess, respectively, when the resurfacing tool is positioned underneath the first arm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages within the present disclosure will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of a power trowel using the fastening system;

FIG. 2 is an angled perspective drawing of an arm, resurfacing tool, and fastening system according to an embodiment within the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective drawing of the fastening side of a resurfacing tool;

FIG. 4 is a perspective drawing of the underside of an arm;

FIG. 5 is a perspective drawing of the underside of an arm, according to an alternate embodiment within the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is an angled perspective view of an arm, resurfacing tool, and fastening system according to an embodiment within the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective of the fastening system, according to an embodiment with the present disclosure; and

FIG. 8 a perspective drawing of the fastening side of a resurfacing tool, according to an alternate embodiment within the present disclosure.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference to the drawings and in operation, the present disclosure overcomes at least some of the disadvantages by providing fastening systems for blades within power trowels and other surface finishing devices. The main benefits of the fastening system are ease of installation and replacement of key components during surface finishing jobs.

FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of a power trowel 10 using the fastening system 30 described within the present disclosure. In this figure the power trowel 10 comprises a handle 12, a housing assembly 14, a motor 16, an arm 22, a resurfacing tool 24, and a fastening system 30. While the figures presented with the current disclosure illustrated a walk-behind type power trowel 10, the described fastening system 30 may also be utilized for other types of surface finishing devices includes motorized polishers, grinders, sanders, riding power trowels, as well as remote and automated versions of all the mentioned devices.

The housing assembly 14 is coupled to and extends from the handle 12. The housing assembly 14 and the handle 12 provide the main structure of the power trowel 10 and the fastening system 30. The handle 12 can include controls for the operation of the motor 16, the drive mechanism 18, and the resurfacing tool 24. The handle 12 also aids in supporting a user during operation of the power trowel 10. The housing assembly 14 is the main unit that provides structural support for the power trowel 10 components and provides protection and air flow during operation of the power trowel 10. The embodiment in FIG. 1 illustrates a housing assembly 14 having a tubular piping construction. Alternate housing assembly designs may also be used that allow for the similar structural support, air flow, and protection during operation. This may include the use of alternate materials (plastics and/or composite metals).

FIG. 1 illustrates the motor 16 positioned above the housing assembly 14 and includes a drive mechanism 18. The motor 16 may be any form of motor that provides mechanical force to the drive mechanism 18. The motor 18 may be an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, or a pneumatic motor. The drive mechanism 18 is configured to provide rotational motion and extends downward from the motor 16 and into the housing assembly 14. The drive mechanism is illustrated within FIG. 1 as a rod, but may also includes additional components in order to provide the rotation motion to the arm 22 and the resurfacing tool 24. Such additional components may include rotational joints, bearings, and/or belts. All of the remaining components are found within the housing assembly 14. This includes the arm 22, the resurfacing tool 24, and the fastening system 30.

FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing of a power-trowel fastening apparatus comprising an arm 22, a resurfacing tool 24, and a fastening system 30. In this figure the resurfacing tool 24 is positioned underneath the arm 22 and is connected to the arm 22. The resurfacing tool 24 also has a surface side 28 (not shown) and a fastening side 26. The fastening system 30 sits between the arm 22 and the resurfacing tool 24 and includes a peg 32, an aperture 34, a magnet 36, and a magnet recess 38. The arm 22 is the support structure that holds the resurfacing tool 24 to the power trowel 10. The arm 22 may be a single extended arm or may include additional arms 22 and components in order to provide stability and support to the power trowel 10. Furthermore, the arm 22 may be constructed out of metal or any other material capable of handling the vibration and rotational motion of the power trowel 10.

FIG. 3 illustrates the fastening side 26 of the resurfacing tool 24. Here, the resurfacing tool 24 is illustrated as a power trowel blade commonly used for the finishing of concrete and other types of surfaces (as listed above). A power trowel typically has a smooth, blade like side (the surface side 28) and a side that interacts and maintains contact with the fastening system 30. Other types of resurfacing tools may also be utilized in order to benefit from the fastening system 30. This may include polishing clothes, grinding stones, sanding surfaces, or any type of tool that would benefit from the rotational motion of a power trowel or similar device. As shown in FIG. 3 both the peg 32 and the magnet 36 extend from the fastening side 26 of the resurfacing tool 24. As illustrated here both the peg 32 and the magnet 36 are aligned along an axis in order to match with the aperture 24 and the magnet recess 38 along the bottom of the arm 22.

FIG. 4 illustrates both the aperture 34 and the magnet recess 38 residing along the bottom of the arm 22 and configured to the dimensions and locations of the peg 32 and the magnet 36 on the resurfacing tool 24. The magnet 36 and the peg 32 fit within the aperture 34 and the magnet recess 38, respectively, when the resurfacing tool 24 is positioned underneath the arm 22. This allows for the attached of the resurfacing tool 24 to the arm 22 and operation of the power trowel 10. The combination of the peg 32 and the aperture 36 allows for support of the resurfacing tool 24 during the operation of the power trowel 10. The combination of the magnet 34 and the magnet recess 38 attaches and maintains the resurfacing tool 24 in place during the operation of the power trowel 10. Also, the pegs 32 and magnets 36 may be switched with the apertures 34 and the magnet recesses 38 within the design of the fastening system 30.

Alternate embodiments may integrate the peg 32 and the magnet 34 in order to provide additional security when attaching the resurfacing tool 24 underneath the arm 22. Furthermore the bottom of the arm 22 may also be magnetized in order to provide support to the resurfacing tool 24. In these present embodiments the arm 22 is parallel to a working surface.

Alternative embodiments may use alternate arm designs in order to provide additional support and force against a working surface. FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the resurfacing tool 24 further having a second arm 44 attached to the fastening side 26. Both the peg 32 and the magnet 36 may extend from the second arm 44. The second arm 44 generates a stronger grip for the fastening system 30 in maintaining the resurfacing tool 24 attached to the first arm 22. It should be noted that's the components of the fastening system 30 may be reversed, placing the cavity 34 and the magnet recess 38 within the second arm 44 and the peg 32 and the magnet 34 attached to the first arm 12.

FIG. 2 illustrates the arm 22 further having a cavity 40 extending vertically through the arm 22 and exposing a portion of the fastening side 26 of the resurfacing tool 24. This allows a user of the power trowel 10 to exert force on the resurfacing tool 24 and remove it from the arm 22. This allows for faster removal of the resurfacing tool 24 during operation of the power trowel 10.

FIG. 5 illustrated an alternate embodiment of the underside of the arm 22. Here, the arm 22 further has a second arm 42, the second arm 42 being perpendicular to the arm 22 and located at the distal end of the arm 22. The second arm 42 has an aperture 34 along the bottom of the second arm 42 and a magnet recess 38 along the bottom of the second arm 42. In this embodiment the magnet 36 and the peg 32 fit within the aperture 34 and the recess 38, respectively, when the resurfacing tool 34 is positioned underneath the second arm 42. This embodiment allows for a stronger “T” shaped arm design that would provide similar strength and support benefit without needing to extend the arm 22 along the entire length of the resurfacing tool 24.

FIG. 6 illustrates an angled perspective of an alternate embodiment of the arm 22 and the resurfacing tool 24. FIG. 7 is a side perspective showing the union of the fastening system 30. Here, the resurfacing tool further has a support edge 43 parallel to the second arm 42. The support edge 43 extends from the fastening surface 26 of the resurfacing tool 24 and has both a peg 32 and a magnet 36 extending from the support edge 43. Both the peg 32 and the magnet 36 are parallel to the fastening surface 26. The second arm 42 has an aperture 34 along the back of the second arm 42 and a magnet recess 38 along the back of second arm 42. The peg 32 and the magnet 36 fit into the aperture 34 and magnet recess 39, respectively, when the resurfacing tool 34 is positioned underneath the arm 22 and behind the second arm 42. This embodiment account for the centrifugal force generated by the rotational motion of the drive mechanism 18 in order to maintain the resurfacing tool 24 in place during operation of the power trowel 10.

FIG. 3 also illustrates a resurfacing tool 24 for use with an arm 22 having any of the fasting system 30 components (peg 32, aperture 34, magnet 36, or magnet recess 38) along the bottom of the arm 22. In one embodiment, the resurfacing tool 24 includes a surface side, a fastening side 26, a peg 32, and a magnet 36. Both the peg 32 and the magnet 36 extend from the fastening side 26 of the resurfacing tool. As shown in FIG. 3 both the peg 32 and the magnet 36 extend from the fastening side 26 of the resurfacing tool 24. As illustrated here they are aligned along an axis in order to match with the aperture 24 and the magnet recess 38 along the bottom of the arm 22. Additionally, the fastening system 30 components may be switched on the resurfacing tool 24.

Exemplary embodiments of these systems and methods are described above in detail. The systems and methods are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of the systems and/or steps of the methods may be utilized independently and separately from other components and/or steps described herein. For example, the systems may also be used in combination with other systems and methods, and is not limited to practice with only the system and method as described herein.

The order of execution or performance of the operations in the embodiments within the disclosure illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, the operations described herein may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and embodiments of the present disclosure may include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after another operation is within the scope of aspects of the disclosure.

This written description uses examples within this disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the subject matter within the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Other aspects and features within the present disclosure may be obtained from a study of the drawings, the specification, and the appended claims. The subject matter of the present disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described within the scope of the appended claims. It should also be noted, that the steps and/or functions listed within the appended claims, notwithstanding the order of which steps and/or functions are listed therein, are not limited to any specific order of operation.

Although specific features of various embodiments of within the disclosure may be shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. In accordance with the principles of the subject matter within the disclosure, any feature of a drawing may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with any feature of any other drawing. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A power trowel comprising: a handle; a housing assembly coupled to, and extending from, the handle; a motor positioned above the housing assembly, the motor including a drive mechanism, the drive mechanism configured to provide rotational motion; an arm coupled to, and extending radially from, the drive mechanism; a resurfacing tool positioned underneath the arm, the resurfacing tool being connected to the arm and having a surface side and a fastening side; and a fastening system between the arm and the resurfacing tool, the fastening system including: a peg extending from the fastening side of the resurfacing tool; an aperture along the bottom of the arm, the aperture configured to the dimensions and location of the peg on the resurfacing tool; a magnet extending from the fastening side of the resurfacing tool; and a magnet recess along the bottom of the arm, the magnet recess configured to the dimensions and location of the magnet on the resurfacing tool, wherein the magnet and the peg fit within the aperture and the magnet recess, respectively, when the resurfacing tool is positioned underneath the arm.
 2. A power-trowel fastening apparatus comprising: a first arm; a resurfacing tool positioned underneath the first arm, the resurfacing tool being connected to the first arm and having a surface side and a fastening side; and a fastening system between the arm and the resurfacing tool, the fastening system including: a peg extending from the fastening side of the resurfacing tool; an aperture along the bottom of the arm, the aperture configured to the dimensions and location of the peg on the resurfacing tool; a magnet extending from the fastening side of the resurfacing tool; and a magnet recess along the bottom of the arm, the magnet recess configured to the dimensions and location of the magnet on the resurfacing tool, wherein the magnet and the pin fit within the aperture and the recess, respectively, when the resurfacing tool is positioned underneath the first arm.
 3. The fastening apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first arm is parallel to a working surface.
 4. The fastening apparatus of claim 2, the first arm further having a cavity extending vertically through the first arm and exposing a portion of the fastening side of the resurfacing tool.
 5. The fastening apparatus of claim 2, the first arm further having a second arm, the second arm being perpendicular to the first arm and located at the distal end of the first arm, the second arm having an aperture along the bottom of the second arm and a magnet recess along the bottom of the second arm and wherein the magnet and the peg fit within the aperture and the recess, respectively, when the resurfacing tool is positioned underneath the second arm.
 6. The fastening apparatus of claim 5, the resurfacing tool further having a support edge parallel to the second arm, the support edge extending from the fastening surface of the resurfacing tool and having a peg and a magnet extend from the support edge parallel to the fastening surface, the second arm having an aperture along the back of the second arm and a magnet recess along the back of second and wherein the peg and the magnet fit into the aperture and magnet recess, respectively, when the resurfacing tool is positioned underneath the first arm and behind the second arm.
 7. The fastening apparatus of claim 2, the apparatus further including a second arm attached to the fastening side of the resurfacing tool, wherein the peg and the magnet extend from the second arm.
 8. A resurfacing tool for use with an arm, the arm having an aperture along the bottom of the arm and a magnet recess along the bottom of the arm, the resurfacing tool comprising: a surface side; a fastening side; a peg extending from the fastening side of the resurfacing tool, the peg configured to the dimensions and location of the aperture along the bottom of the arm; and a magnet extending from the fastening side f the resurfacing tool, the magnet configured to the dimensions and location of the magnet recess along the bottom of the arm, wherein the magnet and the peg fit within the aperture and magnet recess, respectively when the resurfacing tool is positioned underneath the arm. 